The presidency said it cut down the budget for the upcoming 29th edition of the conference of parties (COP29) by N10 billion.
The climate change meeting will be hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan from November 11 to 22.
Last year, Nigeria had 1,411 delegates at the COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), making it the country with the highest number of participants from Africa alongside China, a developed that sparked public outcry.
However, Ajuri Ngelale, special adviser to the president on media and publicity, said this year, the government, in response to the public outcry over the size and cost of Nigeria’s delegation to COP28, ordered a comprehensive audit of the country’s participation.
He said the audit revealed unnecessary spending and attendees who “had no business” at the conference and so had decided to cut down the budget for COP29 by N10 billion.
“There was some deliberate misinformation. But the truth of the matter is, we also found that there were government officials who had no business at that meeting, and some with significant delegations,” Ngelale stated.
According to the presidential spokesperson, the budget reduction reflects the government’s commitment to efficient resource management while enhancing climate action initiatives.
Ngelale added that the federal government has implemented other cost-cutting measures for COP29, including the introduction of a climate accountability and transparency portal, the elimination of the showcase pavilion, and a reduction in consultancy and subcontracting fees.
He said the showcase pavilion cost nearly $500,000 at COP28.
“We have put ourselves in a position to save this country over N10 billion on this 11-day event in November,” he added.
